Re-subscribed to hbo yesterday. Don't have the highest expectations but we'll see how it goes.

thought it was quite a good start!

Only times I rolled my eyes a bit were the reminders of GOT, like with the song of ice and fire prophecy at the end (which looks laughable now since the show had the "great threat" lose its very first battle past the wall). And I'm not sure why they decided to reuse the GOT theme for the end credits. Let the past die!

New characters are interesting/well-acted. Not convinced Daemon's gonna exactly be the next classic Westeros villain but he was fine. I'm liking Rhaenrys (if GOT was being made today that actor seems like a better fit than Clarke for book Dany) and the Hightowers

That C-section scene was absolutely brutal and heartbreaking (all too topical too). Westeros is back baby!

I thought it was really good! Little worried about it being a little too singular. Obviously it’s not going to branch in as many directions as GOT but I hope it branches out a little bit.

Loved Rhaenrys thought she was a great character. Like the hand (Otto?) as well. I agree Daemon isn’t gonna be full Ramsey but I think I like that? There were moments where he seemed more human. More grey, which was my biggest complaint about the latter half of GOT, more well defined good and bad and less grey.

Agree the childbirth scene was brutal. I expected it to be a girl, but the outcome was just as brutal.

We’ll see if it can keep up its momentum.

Quite good quite good. I like the multiple claims to the throne right off the bat, should be interesting

Wanted to like the King cause I like Paddy Considine but woof, that scene. Brutal!

Completely agree Boc on those two bits, the prophecy bit fell so flat lol. Maybe if the GoT finale was........good then that would've given me some chillz. Nope!

And I didn't like the outro theme choice. I didn't like the actual intro either, I'm wondering if there's a full intro starting with ep 2, some shows do that. But after GoT's great intro...a simple Targaryen sigil floating at the screen is lame af. Also lel'd @ "127 before DAENERYS TARGARYEN!" Who cares

I was wondering where Olivia Cook was but then I read about who she's playing and realized that the structure to this show is gonna be different. I won't say anything in case someone doesn't wanna know. But I'm curious to see how that works out

Matt Smith's wig looks baaaad

It was strange seeing Fleabag's dad in this world

Great start to this show.

Agreed with everyone that the prophecy and GoT references did not need to be their.

The characters were all done well. The tournament itself sowed the seeds for future rivalries.

I'm surprised Rhaenyra didn't wear black and Alicent green dresses with the black and the green storyline.

King Viserys is a breath of fresh heir when it comes to Kings on the Iron THrone.

“Breath of Fresh Heir” - unironically great episode title

Curtis @ 23/8/2022 7:23

“Breath of Fresh Heir” - unironically great episode title

(:

Some other things

- Cutting himself on the throne, the writers know their lore
- Ser Otto Hightower had a strong first episode. I can see him being one of my favourite characters
- The dragons! I love how they gave them distinct features. I can't wait to see them in action

Bizarre and nonsensical is how I'd describe the murderous tourney montage in the first episode of House of the Dragon. Completely broke immersion. Great premiere otherwise.

Rhaenyra was great. I loved them treating her like a cup bearer or whatever when the show was clearly hinting at her as Queen. I was weary of Daemon's character, but it was done well. I've not learned the names, but him yielding to the other knight was a surprise. Normally, bad shows would have him sneak attack kill him right after, and after season 8 I didn't have high hopes. I adored them showing Hightower as he is and then having Daemon say as much to the King only for the King to be clearly oblivious and weak. Writers definitely want us to root for Daemon and Rhaenyra. I hope THAT continues. Have Daemon be as awful as can be, if you must, but keep him rootable.

For the most part it felt like early game of thrones again, but I do worry that a show with that heritage could just devolve into the obvious - everyone is morally grey/evil and does bad things for power, and the things you fear will happen, yeah, they happen. Surpri--oh. That said, I've got high hopes after this first episode. I just hope things aren't super obvious and predictable going forward. Avoid the low hanging fruit.

Low hanging fruit example: the age of Hightower's daughter, best friend of the king's daughter, on a path to be her... mother? Weirdos.

started this last night. i was kinda bored at first in the sense of, m brain understood that its the premiere and the show has to set up a lot of characters so there won't be much "action" but i still kinda expected more

that changed with the childbirth scene. i couldnt watch it in its entirety i shielded my eyes. i 100% expected it to be a girl baby so i was quite shocked when it was a boy. but then he died and thats when the show became real for me.

comparisons with GoT are inevitable and whilst i did like rhaenerya she felt like an amalgamation of arya-dany. not in a bad way tho. enjoyed Alicent as well but the choice to make her King Viserys' comfort woman seemed very o_O. glad the didnt actually show it. daemon's char is an interesting one as others have said. i think for me GoT premiere was slightly better but i am invested enough in the world and these characters that i will see the whole season through